Distributor won't fall in right.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Distributor won't fall in right.
I got the engine on TDC, and lined up the oil pump, lined up my distributor shaft, got the rotor button pointing towards the front of the motor so that it will be on the #1 tower on the cap...It feels like it falls in, but theres about a 1/4" gap between the the intake and the rest of the distributor. 
I ran this distributor on my old 350/300hp with no problems; however, it is the old school style Accel points with tach drive. I'm also running a victor jr. intake on the new engine. Do i need a new distributor?
Thanks, Herb
I ran this distributor on my old 350/300hp with no problems; however, it is the old school style Accel points with tach drive. I'm also running a victor jr. intake on the new engine. Do i need a new distributor? Thanks, Herb
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Take the distributor out and take a long screwdriver and turn the oil pump shaft a little at a time until it lines up-slowly turning the cap of the distributor as you drop it in. The distributor has to mate up with the slot in the oil pump shaft.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 213
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From: zanesville ohio
is the rotor button pointing toward #1 cylinder, dont worry about #1 post on dist. cap. If oil pump is lined up and rotor button contact is pointing toward #1 cyl. it should drop all the way in. Sounds like it is still not lined up with the pump.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
Take the distributor out and take a long screwdriver and turn the oil pump shaft a little at a time until it lines up-slowly turning the cap of the distributor as you drop it in. The distributor has to mate up with the slot in the oil pump shaft.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
Take the distributor out and take a long screwdriver and turn the oil pump shaft a little at a time until it lines up-slowly turning the cap of the distributor as you drop it in. The distributor has to mate up with the slot in the oil pump shaft.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Originally Posted by GDaina
Why go through all of that? just put the car in gear and bump it...the crank will rotate, and the slot on the pump and distributor will line up and fall into place...
Last edited by 79VetteMike; Jan 30, 2005 at 12:28 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 492
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From: Burlington Ky
Originally Posted by GDaina
Why go through all of that? just put the car in gear and bump it...the crank will rotate, and the slot on the pump and distributor will line up and fall into place...
He's right. Don't know about having the car in gear though. 
Just have to be careful not to let the dist climb back out until it seats, if it does, ur screwed and have to start all over.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
I do not think that Daina was trying to be mean just there is more than one way to skin a cat lol.
Yes you can do it by the book by bringing to no1 then set the oil pump shaft to correspond with the distributor when you install then set the timing.
Or you can do as Daina said but the chance is greater that the distributor will not drop in at the book correct location there fore you will maybe have to move the no1 spark plus wire over one and then time.
And if you have the room you can put the Distributor in anywhere and set no1 piston at TDC and put the spark plug wire on the distributor wherever it is pointing and the time.
Yes you can do it by the book by bringing to no1 then set the oil pump shaft to correspond with the distributor when you install then set the timing.
Or you can do as Daina said but the chance is greater that the distributor will not drop in at the book correct location there fore you will maybe have to move the no1 spark plus wire over one and then time.
And if you have the room you can put the Distributor in anywhere and set no1 piston at TDC and put the spark plug wire on the distributor wherever it is pointing and the time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
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From: Orlando Floriduh
Originally Posted by GDaina
Why go through all of that? just put the car in gear and bump it...the crank will rotate, and the slot on the pump and distributor will line up and fall into place...
That's the easy way.... Done that forever... Simple solutions aren't always obvious though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Central KY
I just move the slot a little with a long screw driver and then mine falls all the way in. I don't think you need a new distributor - just finesse the oil pump shaft and you'll get it to drop in...
I learned something new here though - I like the idea of bumping the car. I've never tried that one, maybe next time I have to pull the distr...
I learned something new here though - I like the idea of bumping the car. I've never tried that one, maybe next time I have to pull the distr...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
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From: pr, frederick md.
Originally Posted by GDaina
Why go through all of that? just put the car in gear and bump it...the crank will rotate, and the slot on the pump and distributor will line up and fall into place...
i would never do it that way! you got your dist. gear laying on the cam gear and your gonna turn the engine???? it might work but at what cost to the gears???? just use the screwdriver method, and jiggle your rotor. if its not lined up start over and move oil pump slot over more and try again. dont worry to much about keeping your rotor at the exact position. while its real important, you could install it backwards and it would run if you moved the wires on the cap. of course we dont want to do that but im just saying 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
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From: Lake Norman NC
The distributor feels like its bottomed out. I have the oil pump shaft, and the distributor shaft lined up...but theres just a small gap, for some reason, it won't fall fully on the intake. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
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From: OKC Oklahoma
Originally Posted by Redshark6974
The distributor feels like its bottomed out. I have the oil pump shaft, and the distributor shaft lined up...but theres just a small gap, for some reason, it won't fall fully on the intake.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by Redshark6974
The distributor feels like its bottomed out. I have the oil pump shaft, and the distributor shaft lined up...but theres just a small gap, for some reason, it won't fall fully on the intake.
for whats its worth....my local speed shop has a bushing/washer/shim that is made for that exact purpose.....i don't know all of the reasons for it..... but if they make a part it must have some sort of purpose....dosen't jegs and summit sell this also?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
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From: Lake Norman NC
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
Are you twisting it? Hold the base, jiggleing it back and forth while twisting the rotor clockwise.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
for whats its worth....my local speed shop has a bushing/washer/shim that is made for that exact purpose.....i don't know all of the reasons for it..... but if they make a part it must have some sort of purpose....dosen't jegs and summit sell this also?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by 79VetteMike
That's to make sure the gears are lined up center to center. The distributor will go all the way past the cam if inserted correctly and long enough.